After years of living with the stigma of facial twitching and distortion, and the fear of looking in the mirror, Ms. Le Thi Dung (Nghe An) and Ms. Ngo Thuy Lien ( Bac Ninh ) regained their natural smiles after microsurgery to separate blood vessels compressing the VII cranial nerve at Vinmec Times City International General Hospital. In just two hours, they were completely freed from persistent twitching, allowing them to return to confident and fulfilling lives.
Terrified, unable to sleep, covering half her face in shame.
For the past two years, Ms. Le Thi Dung ( Nghe An province ) has suffered from chronic insomnia due to continuous twitching on the left side of her face, difficulty eating, and reluctance to socialize. After visiting many doctors, she was diagnosed with eyelid twitching and given Botox injections. However, the condition only improved for a few months before the twitching returned, sometimes even more severe.
"I was almost in despair," Ms. Dung recounted.
By chance, Ms. Dung met a local person who had suffered from a similar condition but had been cured at Vinmec. She decided to travel 300km to Vinmec Times City International General Hospital to be examined and treated by experienced neurosurgeons specializing in microvascular surgery for facial spasms.
“Here, the doctors clearly explained to me that my condition was facial spasm syndrome caused by compression of the seventh cranial nerve by blood vessels, and that only surgery to separate the blood vessels from the nerve could completely cure it. I believed them and agreed to the surgery immediately,” Ms. Dung shared.
Similarly distressed, Ms. Ngo Thuy Lien (34 years old, Bac Ninh) has undergone acupuncture and treatment for two years but has not found the real cause.
"Whenever I talk, my face looks asymmetrical, so I have to cover one side with my hand. I'm so self-conscious that I don't dare meet anyone, and I'm even afraid to look in the mirror," Lien recounted.
After coincidentally watching a video about facial spasm surgery at Vinmec Times City, she decided to go for a check-up. There, doctors conducted a clinical examination combined with a 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and electromyography (EMG) to accurately determine the cause. It was found that she also suffered from vascular conflict – affecting the seventh cranial nerve.
Blood vessel separation surgery - a solution to restore smiles.
According to Dr. Dong Pham Cuong, Director of the Neurosurgery Center at Vinmec Times City International General Hospital, the most common cause of hemifacial spasm is compression of the seventh cranial nerve by blood vessels or a small tumor in the brain. This nerve controls the movement of the entire face, so when it is compressed, the patient will experience uncontrollable spasms, and the condition will worsen over time.
"Methods like Botox injections, medication, or acupuncture only provide temporary relief, reducing symptoms but not eliminating the underlying cause. Microsurgery to separate blood vessels compressing the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is a definitive treatment, allowing patients to fully recover and prevent recurrence," Dr. Cuong explained.
The diagnostic and treatment process for Ms. Dung and Ms. Lien was carried out with close coordination between the Neurology, Diagnostic Imaging, and Neurosurgery departments.
The most challenging aspect of the surgery is separating the compressing blood vessel from the seventh cranial nerve under a surgical microscope with extreme precision, as this nerve is very sensitive. Even a small mistake can lead to facial paralysis after the operation.
The entire surgery for Ms. Dung and Ms. Lien was performed in approximately 2 hours with the assistance of the Pentero 900 surgical microscope and a modern nerve monitoring system, which helped to optimally control the position, avoiding damage to nearby blood vessels and nerves.
The team also placed electrodes to monitor nerve activity throughout the surgery. When the activity returned to normal, it was a sign that the surgery had been successful.
Immediately after the surgery, the convulsive symptoms on Mrs. Dung and Ms. Lien's faces completely disappeared.
"After waking up, I noticed that the twitching in my face had completely stopped, probably by about 90%. It felt like I was given a new lease on life," Ms. Lien said emotionally.
Ms. Dung couldn't hold back her tears: "I touched my face and it felt normal, the convulsions had stopped. At that moment, all I could do was cry with joy because I could finally sleep peacefully."
At Vinmec Times City International General Hospital, thanks to its solid professional foundation, modern technology, and dedicated team of doctors – especially the application of high-tech microsurgery and advanced neuro-navigation systems – hundreds of patients have been completely cured of facial spasms syndrome after years of unsuccessful treatment elsewhere. But more than just curing the disease, Vinmec also gives hope and smiles back to those who once thought they would have to live their whole lives with a disability and self-consciousness about their face.
For consultations and examinations, please contact us to schedule an appointment via the Vinmec website here or download the MyVinmec app.
Source: https://baohatinh.vn/hanh-trinh-tim-lai-nu-cuoi-cho-nhung-phu-nu-nhieu-nam-so-soi-guong-post298289.html
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